Process skid builders, like many machine builders, look for components that meet virtually every applicable global standard, fit the space requirements of their skid design, are universally suitable in a wide variety of applications from a robot-based painting system to a food injection system, and easily connect to control systems of all kinds.
Aiming to fulfill those user expectations, Endress+Hauser launches the Cubemass Coriolis flowmeter, a lightweight, compact flowmeter designed for installation in spraying or coating equipment, engine test stands and other process skids. Cubemass measures mass flow, volumetric flow, temperature and density in a single unit—and communicates to controllers via pulse, frequency, 4-20 mA current with HART, and Modbus RS-485.
"We were approached by several OEM machine builder customers who were looking for a Coriolis flowmeter that could be used in a process skid," says Jerry Spindler, Endress+Hauser's senior OEM business manager. "Thus, the use of Modbus, pulse, frequency and 4-20 mA HART outputs—it can connect to just about anything."
Spindler says his skid builder customers tend to standardize on instrumentation from a single vendor, so Cubemass was designed to use standard Endress+Hauser hardware and software support systems for configuration, diagnostics and maintenance. "Cubemass flowmeters can be checked in the field with standard FieldCheck and FieldXpert handhelds or FieldCare PC software," he says. "FieldCheck is a handheld device that works with all Endress+Hauser flowmeters. It plugs into the flowmeter and allows a technician to verify all vital functions of the sensor and transmitter, and compare the results to a reference." FieldXpert is a similar device, based on a wireless industrial handheld PDA.
Cubemass is available in four pipe sizes from 1/24 to ¼ in. (DIN 1 to DIN 6) to measure flow from a few drops to 1,000 kg/hr, with mass flow accuracy of ±0.10% of reading, and repeatability of 0.05% for liquids. "It measures density in liquids with accuracy to ±0.001 g/cc with repeatability of 0.0005 g/cc," Spindler says. "The flowmeter can handle a wide variety of liquids such as additives, corrosion inhibitors, fuels, coolants, surface lacquers and perfume, and can withstand process pressures to 5,800 psi—that’s 400 bar—and temperatures to 200 °C."
Designed for use in hazardous environments worldwide, Cubemass has ATEX, IECEx, NEPSI, NEC/CEC and TIIS approvals. Its 904L stainless steel measuring tube allows it to be used in some food applications, such as ingredient injection, Spindler says.
The standard Cubemass is suitable for all applications. Cubemass DCI includes a local display and controls that allow users to read and operate the flowmeter locally. The display on the DCI model can be mounted on the flowmeter or on a panel.
Both flowmeters come with VCO couplings and adapter sets that accommodate most process connections, and they can be mounted in any orientation for convenience.
